Students

BIOL711 – Topics in Evolution

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Caitlin Kordis
caitlin.kordis@mq.edu.au
Andrew Barron
andrew.barron@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Students will formulate a novel research question within a well-defined topic area, conduct a comprehensive review of the primary literature, synthesise this material to address their research question, and present their findings in oral and written forms. The best reviews will unite evidence from disparate areas to generate novel ideas and hypotheses. This unit provides an opportunity for students to learn about an area of scientific research that they may be unfamiliar with at the outset. The intention is to give students an opportunity to gain exposure to a research area that is completely unrelated to their masters research project. It also provides an opportunity for students to learn about the latest work in a wide variety of research areas through discussions and oral presentations presented by their peers. In the past, some literature reviews by students have been published in refereed scientific journals.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Proposal 10% No 19/03/2018
Oral presentation 20% No 27/04/2018
Summary of top 3 presentations 10% No 04/05/2018
Literature review 60% No 01/06/2018

Proposal

Due: 19/03/2018
Weighting: 10%

A 1-page outline of your chosen topic summarising your question, the structure of your review, and six scientific references.  The intention of this assessment is to give constructive feedback on your chosen topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Construct a scientific argument

Oral presentation

Due: 27/04/2018
Weighting: 20%

Students will give a 5-minute oral presentation on their chosen topic, which will be peer reviewed. Students will review and critique their peers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument

Summary of top 3 presentations

Due: 04/05/2018
Weighting: 10%

From the student oral presentations, select and rank your top 3.  For each one, summarise the scientific content (200 words max) and explain why you selected it as one of the best topics and presentations (100 words max).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop skills in scientific writing

Literature review

Due: 01/06/2018
Weighting: 60%

A written report of the chosen topic in the form of a scientific review paper (3500 words max, exclusive of references).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Delivery and Resources

IMPORTANT DATES 

 

Monday 26th February                                             3pm-5pm                                        E8A280

            Initial meeting, explanation of theme topic & examples.

 

Monday 5th March                                                     9am-11am                                        E8A280

            Follow up meeting to discuss choice of topic areas.

 

Monday 19th March                                                  4.00pm

            Proposal due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

 

Friday 27th April                                                        10.00 am – 4:00pm                                                E8A280

            Seminars, attendance at all seminars is compulsory!

Friday 4th  May                                                           4:00pm                                             

            Summary of top 3 class presentations due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

 

Friday 1nd June                                                         4.00pm

            Literature review due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

Unit Schedule

IMPORTANT DATES

 

Monday 26th February                                             3pm-5pm                                        E8A280

            Initial meeting, explanation of theme topic & examples.

 

Monday 5th March                                                     9am-11am                                        E8A280

            Follow up meeting to discuss choice of topic areas.

 

Monday 19th March                                                  4.00pm

            Proposal due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

 

Friday 27th April                                                        10.00 am – 4:00pm                                                E8A280

            Seminars, attendance at all seminars is compulsory!

Friday 4th  May                                                           4:00pm                                             

            Summary of top 3 class presentations due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

 

Friday 1nd June                                                         4.00pm

            Literature review due. Electronic submission via Turnitin accessible through the ILearn website.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Assessment tasks

  • Proposal
  • Summary of top 3 presentations
  • Literature review

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Assessment tasks

  • Proposal
  • Summary of top 3 presentations
  • Literature review

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Assessment tasks

  • Proposal
  • Summary of top 3 presentations
  • Literature review

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Source and frame evidence to critique a scientific argument

Assessment tasks

  • Proposal
  • Literature review

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument

Assessment task

  • Oral presentation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Construct a scientific argument

Assessment tasks

  • Proposal
  • Literature review

Changes since First Published

Date Description
21/02/2018 time of first session on 26th feb changed